Bottle holder and carrier



May 3, 1951 G. M. Ac'roN 2,552,361

BOTTLE HOLDER AND CARRIER Filed Feb. 13, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 (ttornegsMay 8, 1951 G. M. AcToN BOTTLE HOLDER AND CARRIER 2 Sheeis-Sheet 2 IFiled Feb. 13, 1948 Snvemor .will

(Ittomcg Patented May 8, 1951 BOTTLE HOLDER AND CARRIER Grant M. Acton,Arkansas City, Kans., assigner to Acton Manufacturing Company, Inc.,Arkanr sas City, Kans., a corporation of Kansas Application February 13,1948, Serial No. 8,022

7 Claims.

This invention relates to bottle holders and carriers and moreparticularly to a device for holding and carrying bottles used forbeverages such as soit drinks and the like, the principal objects of theinvention being to provide a bottle holder and carrier adapted for usewith automatic loaders and bottle washers and for transporting bottlesof ybeverage as when carrying them from retail stores.

There have been various types of bottle carriers made of paper,fiberboard, Wire and sheet metal for carrying bottled bevarage fromretail stores to the customers home. Such carriers are used for takingempty bottles back to the store Where the empties are removed and fullbottles from cases or coolers placed in the carrier for the purchaser toagain carry home. The empties are placed in wooden cases and returned tothe bottling plant wher-e they are processed in automatic bottle washingand loading machines which remove the empties from the case and placefilled bottles therein.

Further objects of the present invention are, therefore, to provide acarrier of such size and shape that a plurality of same fit in the usualwooden case which is minus the conventional separators whereby thebottles need only beremoved from the carrier at the bottling plant andin the home for use to provide a carrier of suitable material forming arigid structure capable of continued use in automatic machines and forall transportation, storage and cooling of the bottl-ed beverage; toprovide a bottle carrier in which several bottles may be carried at onetime; to provide a bottle carrier adapted for quick and easy placing andremoving of bottles, said bottles being held in semi-rigid positionavoiding breakage when handled by automatic equipment, and supportingsaid bottles in such a manner as to eliminate bottle slippage when acase containing four carriers is picked up by a bottle as is commonlydone by case handlers in the industry; to provide va carrier and bailtherefo1` which permits telescoping of said bail allowing the filledcarriers to be stacked; and to provide a carrier consisting ofrelatively few pieces that may be quickly and easily manufactured andassembled into a compact, sturdy and efficient device for carrying andholding beverage bottles during transportation and use with automaticmachines in bottling plants.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, Ihave provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein;

2 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved bottle carrier.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view through the carrier taken on theline 2 2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional View f taken on the line 3 3,Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a disassembled perspective vi-ew of the improved bottlecarrier.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a bottle carrier and holder generally consisting of sidemembers 2 and 3, a bottom member 4, a top spacer 5, and a divider 6. Theside member 2 is bent as at I and 8 to form end portions 9 and I0 of thecarrier. The side member 3 is bent as at II and I2 to form end portions|3 and I4, the ends 9-I3 and Iii-I4 cooperating to form the ends of thecarrier as later described. The upper and lower edges of the sidemembers are turned inwardly as at I5 and IS respectively to form upperand lower anges I1 and I8, folded against the inner surface I9 of theside members, the anges II and I8 extending the full length of th-e sideportion and end portions of each side member forming rounded upper andlower edges, providing a iinished appearance, eliminating sharp edgesand stiiTening Said side members to provide suitable rigidity therein.Each of the end portions 9-I0 and I3-I 4 is provided with inwardlystruck tangs 20 and the side portions are provided with slots 2| spacedslightly below the lower edge of the flanges I'I for assembling thestructure as later described.

The bottom member 4 is bent as at 22 and 23 forming a horizontal bottomportion 24 and upwardly extending end portions 25 and 26, the height ofsaid end portions being such that the upper edges 21 thereof are adaptedto engage the lower edge of the flanges I'I, and the total height fromthe bottom to the upper edge of the side members is substantially thesam-e as the inside height of the side walls of a conventional woodencase. Each of the end members 25 and 26 is provided with inwardly struckportions 28 of substantially the same width as the width of the ilangeI8 whereby the end members are adapted to lie against the inner face ofthe end portions S-ID and I 3-I4 of the side members. The

longitudinal side edges of the bottom member 4 are turned inwardly toform flanges 29 and 30 tightly folded against the inner faces of therespective portions for stiifening and strengthening the bottom memberand eliminating any eX- posed sharp edges, as well as enhancing theappearance of the iinished product. The upper end portions of the bottommember are provided with a plurality of slots Si adapted to registerwith the tangs 2a on the side members for assembling the respectiveparts of the carrier as later described.

The divider-spacer 32 is preferably arranged along the longitudinalcenter of the bottom portion 24, said spacer preferably terminatingshort of the end portions 25 and 2li. The dividerspacer preferablyconsists of a longitudinal central web 33, the sides of which are turnedinwardly as at 34 forming legs 35 and 36, the upper edges of which areturned outwardly as at 31 and folded tightly against the legs 35 and 36.The outer legs 38 are longer than the inner legs 35 and 35, the lowerends of said outer legs being bent as at 39 to form laterally extendingflanges 40 and 4l, said flanges preferably extending approximatelyone-third of the distance toward the side edges of the bottom portion24. The divider-spacer is suitably secured to the bottom portion 24.This assembly may be accomplished by any suitable manner, for example,the ilanges il and 4i are provided with slots 42 adapted to align withtangs i3 struck upwardly from the bottom 24, said tangs extendingthrough the slots and being flattened against the flanges fill and 4I,this flattening process preferably bending a portion of the flanges intothe opening 45v formed in the bottom portion upon the cutting andbending of the tangs therefrom. This assembly forms interlockingportions which prevent any movement of the respective parts.

The spacing of the inner legs 35 and 3S of the divider-spacer arepreferably substantially the same width as the thickness of thelongitudinal divider member 4t formed of berboard, plastic, metal orother suitable material. rEhe longitudinal member of the divider isshorter in length than the distance between the ends of the carrier toprovide spaces 4l' at the ends of the divider member 46 to accommodateends of the bail as later described. The lower portion of saidlongitudinal member is provided with spaced vertical slots 48 extendingsubstantially half the height of said divider member and cooperatingwith slots 4s in the upper portion of transverse divider members d,whereby the respective slots 48 and 49 of the longitudinal andtransverse members may be interengaged as illustrated in Fig. 4, wherebythe spacing between the respective divider members and the sides and endportions of the carrier will accommodate one bottle in each space. Theends 5| of the transverse members engage the side portions of the sidemembers and are notched as at 52 whereby the lower edges 53 of the ends5l extend slightly below the side members 2, and the sides 5G of the`bottom edge 55 substantially align with the side edges of the bottomportion 24. The center portions of the transverse members are notched asat 5B to pass over the legs 38 of the divider-spacer whereby the bottomedges 55 of the transverse members will rest on the flanges 40, 4l 29and 30, the lower edge 51 of the longitudinal member being tightlyreceived between the inner legs 35 and 36 and resting on the web portion33 of the divider-spacer 32. The upper edge 5S of the longitudinalmember d6 extends above the upper edge 59 of the transverse members, theupper edge of the longitudinal member being received in a groove 6Dformed in the longitudinal rib 61 of the top spacer 5.

The top spacer is cut from a single piece of sheet metal or the like andformed by suitable dies. rihe top spacer is bent as at E52 on thelongitudinal center of said spacer, forming downwardly turned spacedlegs 63 and e4, said legs being slightly longer than the width of theiianges il on the side members. rhe spacci' is then turned outwardly atthe lower edge of the legs as at 65 to form laterally extendinghorizontal members 65 and el which extend to the side portions of theside mem-bers, the outer edges of said spacer being turned upwardly asat 68 to form upwardly extending flanges Se and said flanges singadapted to be inserted between the iianges H and the inner face is ofthe side portions of the side members and engage the inner surface ofthe bend I5 thereof.

In a carrier adapted to contain bottles the flanges Si? and 'iii arepreferably substantially two-thirds the length of the carrier wherebythe horizontal portions 66 and Sl are cut and formed to provideapertures 7! for receiving bottles, the edges of said apertures beingturned downwardly to form iianges 'i2 to provide additional surfacecontact between the top spacer and the bottles received in the carrier.rIhe iianges 'l2 of the respective apertures are preferably spaced as at'I3 to receive the upper portion of the transverse divider members 55whereby the upper edge 5S of said divider engages the lower face of thehorizontal portions of the top spacer. Tangs N are preferably cut fromthe iianges t9 and and project outwardly from the horizontal poru tions55 and 5'. in alignment with the slots 2i for assembling the parts aslater described. ribe longitudinal rib Si extends substantially thelength of the spacing between the end portions of the carrier and isprovided with outwardly directed Iianges 15 on each leg 63 and ed ofsaid rib, said flanges having suitable slots '5G adapted to be alignedwith selected tangs 2e for facilitating the assembly as later described.The flanges l5, being on each leg 53 and E4, provide a space 'H betweenthe inner edges of the ilanges l5 for slidably receiving verticalmembers i8 of a bail 19.

The bail is preferably formed of suitable wire or the like having a barmember SQ provided with a tubular handle member Si slidably mounted onthe bar member, the ends of the bar member being curved downwardly as at82 to form the vertical members 'i3 of said bail, the lower ends of thevertical members being bent inwardly as at S3 to form lugs Sli adaptedto support the weight o1" the carrier and bottles when being carried bythe bail. The spacings between the lugs 3d and the handle member 8l aresuch that when the bail is moved downwardly to the lower extremities ofits movement wherein the lugs are adjacent the bottom of the carrier,the handle will be below the upper end or cap of the bottles, and whenthe bail is moved upwardly until the lugs engage the bend in the rib 5ibetween the legs 53 and Se, there will be sulficient clearance betweenthe handle and the tops of the bottles to permit the insertion of thehand of a person whereby the carrier may be transn ported without dangerof striking the hand or ngers on the tops of the bottles.

ln assembling a carrier of parts constructed as described, the slots 48and e9 of the longitudinal and transverse divider members are alignedand the respective members moved together to assemble the divider asshown in Fig. 4. The lower edge 5l' of the longitudinal divider is thenplaced in the spacing between the legs 35 and 35 of the lowerdivider-spacer, the ends of the longitudinal divider member beingequally spaced from the end portions 25 and 26 of the bottom member.

The bail 'I9 is then placed on the top spacer 5 in such a manner thatthe vertical members rest in the spacing ll between the flanges l andthe top spacer placed on the divider 6 in such a manner that the upperedge 58 of the longitudinal divider member enters the spacing 60 betweenthe legs 63 and 64 of the longitudinal rib 6| and the upper edges 59 ofthe transverse divider members enter the spacing I3 and engage the lowerface of the horizontal portions 66 and 6l of the top spacer. The sidemembers 2 'and 3 are then applied in such a manner that the tangs 14extend through the slots 2| and the tangs extend through the slots 3i inthe end portions and 26 and the aligning slots i6 in the flanges l5. Thetangs are then tightly folded over and pressed whereby the portion ofthe metal adjacent the slots over which the ends of the tangs lie ispressed into the opening formed in cutting the tangs from the respectiveparts n `carrier are such that the bottles substantially engage theflanges l2 in the top spacer and the anges I l in the side and endportions of the side members. The lower portions of the bottles areprotected against contact with adjacent bottles by the divider membersand a portion of the bottom of each bottle will rest on the anges :Z9-3Band l0-il of the bottom portion 2li and divider-spacer 32.

It is believed obvious that I have provided a bottle holder and carrierof rigid structure, capable of holding a plurality of bottles which maybe easily removed and inserted in said carriers and avoiding breakage ofsaid bottles when the carriersl are used in automatic washing andloading machines. It is also believed obvious that the carrier permitsstacking when lled with bottles and the telescoping handle structureprovides efcient transportation of the carrier and bottles withoutdanger of striking the hand on said bottles.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A bottle holder and carrier of the character described including, abottom, end members on said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom,spaced side members having portions overlying said end members andforming a peripheral wall, the lower edge of which is spaced above thebottom, means for securing the end members to the overlying portions ofthe side members, spaced ribs arranged adjacent the longitudinal centerof the bottom, a divider member having `its lower edge engaged betweenthe sp-aced ribs, top spacer means secured to the side and end membersfor supporting the upper end of the divider member, spaced transversedividers engaging the longitudinal divider and top spacer means, saidtop spacer means cooperating with said dividers and side and end membersfor forming apertures to receive and substantially engage bottlesadapted to rest on'A the bottom, and a bail telescopically mountedbetween the top spacer and end members for supporting the bottlecarrier.

2. A bottle holder and carrier of the character described including, abottom, end members on said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom,inwardly folded flanges on the longitudinal edges of the bottom and endmembers, spaced side members, the spacing between the side members beinggreater than the width of the bottom, end portions on the side membersoverlying the end members, the inner edges of the end portions on oneside member substantially abutting the inner edges of the end portionsof the other side member, inwardly folded flanges on the upper and loweredges of the side-members and end portions thereof, a longitudinaldivider member having its lower edge supported on the bottom, transversedividers spaced along the longitudinal divider, said dividers havingcooperating slots to secure the dividers together, a top spacer membersupporting the upper edges of the dividers, anges on the ends of the topspacer member adapted to engage the end members on the bottom, means forsecuring the spaced anges toV said members and the end portions of theside members, said top spacer member cooperating with the side and endmembers for forming apertures to receive and substantially engagebottles adapted to rest on the bottom, and a bail for supporting thebottle carrier.

3. A bottle holder and carrier of the character described including, abottom, end members on said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom,inwardly folded flanges on the longitudinal edges of the bottom and endmembers, spaced side members the lower edges of which are spaced abovethe bottom, the spacing between the side members being greater than thewidth of the bottom, end portions on the side members'overlying the endmembers, the inner edges of the end portions on one side membersubstantiallyv abutting the inner edges of the end portions of the otherside member, inwardly folded flanges on the upper and lower edges of theside members and end portions thereof, spaced ribs arranged adjacent thelongitudinal center of the bottom, a longitudinal divider member havingits lower edge engaged between the spaced ribs, transverse dividersspaced along the longitudinal divider, said dividers having cooperatingslots to secure the dividers together, a top spacer member having agroove for seating on the longitudinal divider, flanges on the ends ofthe top spacer member adapted to engage the end members on the bottom,means for securing the spaced ilanges to said members and the endportions of the side members, said top spacer member cooperating withthe side and end members for forming apertures to receive andsubstantially engage bottles adapted to rest on the bottom, and a bailfor supporting the bottle carrier.

4. A bottle holder and carrier of the character described including, abottom, end members on said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom,inwardly folded flanges on the longitudinal edges of the bottom andend'members, spaced side members, the lower .edges of which are spacedabove the bottom, the spacing between the side members being greaterthan the width of the bottom, end portions on the side members overlyingthe end members, theri'nner edges of the end portions on one side membersubstantially abutting the inner edges of the end portions of the otherside member, inwardly folded iianges on the upper and lower edges of theside members and end portions thereof, spaced ribs arranged adjacent thelongitudinal center of the bottom, a longitudinal divider member havingits lower edge engaged between the spaced ribs, transverse dividersspaced along the longitudinal divider, said dividers having cooperatingslots to secure the dividers together, a top spacer member having agroove for seating on the longitudinal divider, spaced flanges on theends of the top:

spacer member adapted to engage the end members on? the. bottom, meansfor securing the spaced nanges to said members and' the end. portions ofthe side members, said topV spacer member cooperating with the side andend members for forming apertures to receive and substantially engagebottles adapted to rest on the bottom, a bail having vertical legssl-idably mounted in the spacing between the flanges on the top spacermember, and lugs on the vertical legs oi the bail adapted to engageinthe groove of the top spacer member for supporting the bottle carrier.

5. A bottle holder and carrier of the character described including, abottom, end members on said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom,inwardly folded flanges on the longitudinal edges of the bottom and endmembers, spaced side members, the spacing between the side members beinggreater than the width of the bottom, end portions on the side members.

overlying the end members, spaced ribs arranged adjacent thelongitudinal center of the bottom, a longitudinal divider member havingits lower edge engaged between the spaced ribs, transverse dividersspaced along the longitudinal divider, said dividers having cooperatingslots to secure the dividers together, a top spacer member having agroove for seating on the longitudinal divider, spaced anges on the endsof the top spacer member adapted to engage the end members on thebottom, means for securing the spaced anges to said members and the ondportions of the side members, said top spacer member cooperating withthe side and end members for forming apertures to receive andsubstantially engage bottles adapted to rest on the bottom, upwardlydirected flanges at the sides of the top spacer member adapted tol liebetween the side members and the inwardly folded flanges on the upperedge thereof, means securing the top spacer member to the side members,and a bail having vertical legs slidably mounted in the spacing betweenthe flanges on the top spacer member for supporting the bottle carrier.

6. A bottle holder and carrier of the character described including, abottom, end members on said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom,inwardly folded fianges on the longitudinal edges of the bottom and endmembers, spaced side members the lower edges of which are spaced abovethe bottom, the spacing between the side members being greater than thewidth of the bottom, end portions on the side members overlying the endmembers, the inner edges of the end portions on one side membersubstantially abutting the inner edges of the end portions of the otherside member, inwardly folded flanges on the upper and lower edges of theside members and end portions thereof, spaced ribs arranged adjacent thelongitudinal center of the bottom, a longitudinal divider member havingits lower edge engaged between the spaced ribs, transverse dividersspaced along the longitudinal divider, said dividers having cooperatingslots to secure the dividers together, a top spacer member having agroove for seating on the longitudinal divider, spaced flanges on theends of the top spacer member adapted to engage the end members on thebottom, means for securing the spaced flanges to said members and theend portions of the side members, said top spacer member cooperatingwith the side and end members for forming apertures to receive andsubstantially engage bottles adapted to rest on the bottom, upwardlydirected flanges at the sides of the top spacer member adapted to liebetween.

the side members and the inwardly folded flanges on the upper edgethereof, means securing the. top spacer member to the side members, abail having vertical legs slidably mounted in the spacing between theflanges on the top spacer member, and lugs on the vertical legs of thebail adapted to engage in the groove of the top spacer member forsupporting the bottle carrier.

7. A bottle holder and carrier of the character described including, abottom, end members on said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom,said end members having spaced slots therein, inwardly folded flanges onthe longitudinal edges of the bottom and end members, spaced sidemembers the lower edges of which are spaced above the bottom, thespacing between the side members being greater than the width of thebottom, end portions on the side members overlying the end members, theinner edges of the end portions on one side member substantiallyabutting the inner edges of the end portions of the other side members,inwardly folded flanges on the upper and lower edges of the side members and end portions thereof, spaced ribs arranged adjacent thelongitudinal center of the bottom, a longitudinal divider member havingits lower edge engaged between the spaced ribs, transverse dividersspaced along the longitudinal divider, said dividers having cooperatingslots to secure the dividers together, a top spacer member having agroove for seating on the longitudinal divider, spaced flanges on theends of the top spacer member adapted to engage the end members on thebottom, said flanges havingr spaced slots in alignment with the slots inthe end members,` spaced tango on the end portions of the side membersadapted to engage the slots Y in the end members and spaced flanges forsecuring the spaced flanges to said members and the end portions of theside members, said top spacer member cooperating with the side and endmembers for forming apertures to receive and substantially engagebottles adapted to rest on the bottom, upwardly directed flanges at thesides or" the top spacer member adapted to lie between the side membersand the inwardly folded flanges on the upper edge thereof, meanssecuring the top spacer member to the side members, a bail havingvertical legs slidably mounted in the spacing between the iianges on thetop spacer member, and lugs on the vertical legs of the bail adapted toengage in the groove of the top spacer member for supporting the bottlecarrler.

GRANT M. ACTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,970,970 Nolan Aug. 2l, 19342,414,708 Bassichis Jan. 21, 1947 2,443,985 Lamprecht June 22, 1948

